Immigrants found in drain pipe deported

March 16, 2009 3:39:05 PM PDT

San Ysidro, Calif. --

Six of the eight illegal immigrants found trapped in a drain pipe near the San Ysidro, Calif. port of entry have been returned to Mexico, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.Customs officials say two females and six males, including a 16-year-old, were inside the 30-inch drainage pipe, just yards from the border station.

They were discovered after officials inspecting an uncovered drainage hole near the U.S.-Mexico border were told by a motorist that several people had jumped into the storm drain.

A robotic camera was sent into the pipe and located the trapped people. A witness says the group entered the drain Saturday morning. They were found later that night.

The two women and four of the men were returned to Mexico.

Another man who had previously been deported was placed under arrest as a repeat offender, and a 16-year-old boy was turned over to the Mexican consulate in San Diego.